I know further down is pretty good for WW/CW species but anyone know of fishing prospects upstream from Lickdale, Monroe Valley (Swatara Gap) area? I probed some today and did not see any biomass at all except for one forlorn caddis. Is mine drainage an issue up there? Saw NO life under the rocks, or minnows, or fallfish, or anything. Is it just my bad luck or what?

There’s AMD issues in the extreme headwaters of the Swatara, but there are remediation systems in place that seem to be helping. I’ve caught native Brookies out of the Swatara’s main stem, pretty far up. Not many, but they’re there.

The stretch you’re talking about is still very much a warm water stream and has Smallies, Rock Bass, various species of Sunfish, Fallfish, and even a few Chain Pickeral. That far downstream I don’t think the AMD is an issue any more given the variety of species present. Lickdale up to the 81 bridges is one of my favorite stretches. It’s still a little cold water temp wise for most of these species right now. I fished that area once this year and caught two large (16”+) Fallfish, but no Smallies or panfish yet. Give it a try in another month or so when the water is a little warmer. Shoot me a PM sometime and I’ll meet up with ya.

Generally yes. The Smallies (especially the larger ones) can be in a post spawn funk for a while in June, but July/August/first half of September are consistently pretty good usually. If you're not turning up any Smallies, downsize your fly a bit...the Fallfish, Rock Bass, and Redbreasts will almost always cooperate.

Finally got out there in Hummelstown and did pretty well! Caught seven fish in about an hour on a Clouser. I caught four fallfish and three of another type of fish, two were about six inches and the other about twelve. I'm not great on knowing all my fish. They had no distinct markings. They were brown, but no real spots or stripes, so didn't look like rock bass or smallie at all to me. Any thoughts on these?

Nice! Knowing the area and the species in it your mystery fish were probably Smallies. They don't always have stripes or patterns and sometimes are just a more solid olive/brown color, especially when they're smaller. Glad you got into em'!